The treaty was signed in Beijing by China's Foreign Minister, Yang Jiechi, and Brazil's Foreign Minister, Celso Amorim, on May 19, 2009. It contains 30 articles, covering the application and implementation of judicial assistance and the means of contact, evidence collection, and dispute resolution in assisting in civil and commercial cases. (China Ratifies Civil, Commercial Judicial Assistance Treaty with Brazil, People's Daily Online, Nov. 1, 2009, available athttp://english.people.com.cn/90001/90776/90883/6799816.html.)

It was reported that despite the fears of the negative impact of the global economic crisis, Brazilian exports to China have grown 64.7% in the first four months of 2009, compared to the same period of time last year. The statistics show that this March and April, for the first time, China displaced the United States as Brazil's largest trading partner. (Brazil and China Forge Closer Trade Links, BBC NEWS, May 19, 2009, available athttp://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8057048.stm.)

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